Electrochemistry of Azocrown Ethers in Langmuir-Blodgett Monolayers

Abstract

Monomolecular films of amphiphilic derivatives of crown ethers bearing an azo group in the macrocycle were prepared on surfaces of pure water and transferred onto electrodes using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The azocompounds studied were separated into Z and E stereoisomers. Monolayers of both isomers of azocrowns were transferred onto the surfaces of hydrophilic (thin mercury film electrode, TMFE) and hydrophobic (indium-tin oxide, ITO) electrodes. The electrode processes showed more reversible cyclic voltammetry profiles when mercury was used instead of ITO as the electrode substrate. This difference was ascribed to the different orientation of the molecules on the electrode surface.